Japan joins in NATO cyber exercise

Concern over the cybersecurity threat posed by China helped push Japan to become a full participant in NATO’s recent cybersecurity wargames.

Japan had participated in previous Cyber Coalition exercises, but held only observer level status but this year a team of 20 attended in various drills including a hack back scenario, reported the Nikkei Asian Review.

While Japan is not an official signatory to NATO, it is considered is one of a range of countries beyond the Euro-Atlantic area  often referred to as “partners across the globe” with which NATO is developing relations. NATO and Japan codified their commitment to strengthening cooperation in a joint political declaration signed in April 2013.